Sony already shipping white PS3s to US?

Sony may bring a second PS3 color to the US in a matter of weeks, claim employees tracking stock at Circuit City. In part as compensation for the end of the deal bundling copies of the movie Spiderman 3 with the 40GB black console, Sony has reportedly begun shipping PS3 units to the American retailer with the model name CECHH01 -- the same used by the 40GB white model originally launched in Japan and currently available anywhere else. The 40GB version is not expected to have a different software bundle and would sell for the same $399 as the current version.

The black model should also switch to a bundle-free edition and will most likely be available at the same time, though the actual launch period is uncertain: Circuit City has reportedly been instructed to only sell the white models once the Spiderman bundle is out of stock, which may vary by a matter of weeks depending on sales of the current model.

While unconfirmed, the claim is supported by Sony's need to seek FCC approval for the white PS3, which is often the sign that a device is nearing a US release if its technology is compatible with that of the US.

Filed under: gaming, gadgets
Other story tags: sony, PS3